Only a few ingredients are needed to create these elegant pastries.
The caramelized sugar forms a crisp, golden coating.
Puff pastry makes the recipe simple while delivering a flaky texture.
These cookies look beautiful and impressive with minimal effort.
Perfect for serving with tea, coffee, or as a light dessert.
Great for entertaining or adding to a dessert platter.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
puff pastry sheets granulated sugar pinch of salt (optional)
Directions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Lightly sprinkle a clean work surface with granulated sugar.
Place the puff pastry sheet on the sugared surface and sprinkle more sugar evenly over the top.
Use a rolling pin to gently press the sugar into the pastry and slightly flatten it.
Fold the two long edges of the pastry inward so they meet in the center.
Fold the pastry again along the center line, creating a compact log.
Using a sharp knife, slice the log into pieces about ½ inch thick.
Place the slices flat on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
Bake for about 12–15 minutes until the bottoms are golden and caramelized.
Carefully flip each palmier and bake for another 5–7 minutes until both sides are evenly golden and crisp.
Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely so they become crisp.
Servings and timing
Servings: about 20 cookies
Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 15–20 minutes Total time: about 30 minutes
Variations
Cinnamon sugar palmiers Mix ground cinnamon with the sugar before sprinkling it over the pastry.
Chocolate dipped palmiers Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted chocolate for a richer dessert.
Nutty palmiers Sprinkle finely chopped almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts over the sugar layer before folding.
Orange sugar palmiers Add finely grated orange zest to the sugar for a subtle citrus aroma.
Savory palmiers Replace sugar with grated cheese, herbs, and a pinch of salt for a savory appetizer version.
Storage/Reheating
Store palmiers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Keep them in a cool, dry place to maintain their crisp texture.
If they lose their crispness, you can refresh them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes.
For longer storage, baked palmiers can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
FAQs
What are palmiers?
Palmiers are French puff pastry cookies shaped like hearts or palm leaves and coated with caramelized sugar.
Can I use store-bought puff pastry?
Yes, store-bought puff pastry works perfectly and makes the recipe quick and easy.
Why are they called elephant ears?
Their shape resembles the large ears of an elephant once baked and spread slightly.
How do I keep the sugar from burning?
Bake them until golden and keep an eye on them during the final minutes since sugar can caramelize quickly.
Can I make palmiers ahead of time?
Yes, they can be baked a day in advance and stored in an airtight container.
Do palmiers need to be flipped during baking?
Yes, flipping ensures both sides caramelize evenly and become crisp.
Can I freeze unbaked palmiers?
Yes, slice the folded pastry and freeze the pieces until ready to bake.
Why are my palmiers sticking to the pan?
Caramelized sugar can stick, so using parchment paper helps prevent this.
Can I make them less sweet?
You can reduce the sugar slightly, though the caramelized coating is part of their classic flavor.
What drinks pair well with palmiers?
They pair wonderfully with coffee, espresso, tea, or hot chocolate.
Conclusion
Classic French Palmiers are a simple yet elegant pastry that delivers a satisfying combination of crisp puff pastry and caramelized sugar. With minimal ingredients and quick preparation, they’re a perfect treat for entertaining or enjoying with a warm drink. Their delicate, flaky layers and golden sweetness make them a timeless favorite in French baking.
Classic French Palmiers are delicate, crispy pastries made from buttery puff pastry and caramelized sugar. Often called “elephant ears,” these elegant cookies are created by folding sugared puff pastry into a distinctive heart shape and baking until golden and crisp. With just a few ingredients and a simple preparation method, Classic French Palmiers are the perfect sweet treat to serve with coffee, tea, or as part of a dessert platter.
Ingredients
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
½ cup granulated sugar
Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Lightly sprinkle a clean work surface with granulated sugar.
Place the puff pastry sheet on the sugared surface and sprinkle additional sugar evenly over the top.
Use a rolling pin to gently press the sugar into the pastry while slightly flattening it.
Fold the two long edges of the pastry inward so they meet in the center.
Fold the pastry again along the center line to create a compact log.
Using a sharp knife, slice the log into ½-inch thick pieces.
Place the slices flat on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
Bake for 12–15 minutes until the bottoms are golden and caramelized.
Carefully flip each palmier and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes until both sides are evenly golden and crisp.
Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely so they become crisp.
Notes
Use parchment paper to prevent caramelized sugar from sticking to the pan.Keep an eye on the cookies during the last few minutes of baking, as sugar caramelizes quickly.Allow the palmiers to cool completely to achieve their crisp texture.A light sprinkle of salt can balance the sweetness and enhance flavor.
